May 21, 2012

Cisco Systems Retains McGuireWoods to Lobby on Cyber Security

A former member of Congress who is now at McGuireWoods Consulting is helping lobby for a major networking equipment manufacturer, the firm disclosed to Congress last week.

Former Rep. L.F. Payne (D-Va.), president of McGuireWoods Consulting, is advocating for Cisco Systems Inc. on "measures to enhance and strengthen cyber security," according to a lobbying registration report. He is handling the account with McGuireWoods Consulting Executive Vice President and Director Frank Donatelli and Vice President Mona Mohib.

None of the lobbyists could be reached immediately for comment.

Cisco spent $640,000 on federal lobbying during the first three months of this year, according to the company’s most recent congressional report on its federal lobbying activities. The San Jose, Calif.-based company used its own employees and outside lobbyists for its advocacy work during that period, congressional records show. The outside lobbyists came from Alpine Group, Capitol Counsel, Capitol Solutions, Ernst & Young, Franklin Square Group and Ryan, MacKinnon, Vasapoli and Berzok.